Eagles worked to build tough competition along the offensive line

The Philadelphia Eagles have made it clear they will attempt to do anything possible to surround second-year quarterback Carson Wentz with the tools he needs to succeed. The team made significant personnel additions at both wide receiver and the offensive line this offseason.

Though the additions at receiver will certainly benefit Wentz, the roster moves on the offensive line will give the Eagles a level of depth up front that they’ve been missing for several years.

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Philadelphia began the free agent period by signing former top-10 pick Chance Warmack to a one-year deal. They also retained one of their own, by giving G/C Stefen Wisniewski a new three-year contract.

Though the Eagles didn’t address the offensive line in the draft, they did sign an undrafted free agent who could stick around for awhile. They locked up former West Virginia C Tyler Orlosky on a rookie free agent contract soon after the draft ended.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Orlosky as his third best center and 188th best player in the 2017 NFL Draft.

They also added two young offensive lineman in last year’s draft. Isaac Seumalo was drafted in the third round and Halapoulivaati Vaitai was selected in the fifth.

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The sheer number of talented players up front will breed competition in training camp. If any of the starters get injured or suspended, the Eagles will have a suitable replacement at the ready.

That’s a change of pace from last season, when Johnson’s PED suspension wreaked havoc on the entire chemistry of the offensive line. Johnson was available for the first four games of the season, but missed the following 10 weeks due to his second PED violation.

In six games with Johnson on the field, the offensive line allowed just nine sacks. During Johnson’s 10-game absence, Wentz was sacked 24 times. That’s not exactly a smooth transition from starter to second string.

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Though the offensive line’s performance wasn’t ideal last season, that’s what tends to happen when two rookies are asked to make a combined 10 starts. This upcoming season has the chance to be different for the Eagles.

The best case scenario is the competition at center leads to a young player proving he can start both immediately and long-term. That way the Eagles can feel more comfortable about moving on from Kelce’s steep cap hit.

If nothing else, Philadelphia will have much more talented replacements for their starters on the offensive line in 2017. Keeping Wentz upright is of paramount importance and the Eagles’ offensive line additions over the past two years show they recognize that.